COCHRANE - Cochrane residents could have to look for a new place to buy beer.
There have been rumours circulating online that the Cochrane location of The Beer Store at 8 James Bay Rd. will be closing its doors permanently.
At Tuesday’s (Aug. 13) council meeting, Mayor Peter Politis said although they’re not certain, it seems as though the town’s beer store location is being impacted by the province’s decision to expand alcohol sales in both convenience and grocery stores.
In May, Premier Doug Ford announced that beer, wine, cider and seltzers will be coming to corner stores across the province by September.
“In doing some digging around, there still isn't a lot of answers as to what’s actually taking place and what isn't taking place. It does seem though like what we're part of a transition where the provincial government now is moving forward with retailing beer,” he said.
“Lots of small communities now are at the hands of corporate decisions from The Beer Store itself. The company sees the writing on the wall where it's going, and I believe this is part of it.”
The Beer Store first opened in 1927. There are currently 440 retail locations across Ontario.
In Cochrane, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved two licences for convenience stores that will be able to sell alcohol as of Sept. 5.
The licences are for the Cochrane Truck Stop at 99 Hwy. 11 S., and COSTCAN Liquor at 143 Fourth St. W. Unit B.
“We still have nothing concrete either from The Beer Store itself or government officials. So, we're watching, we're monitoring, we're following up. We'll obviously do whatever we can to ensure the viability of this community continues to proceed forward,” Politis said.
